Betta Spawning Technique Help

[Gabriel Tan]

Hi,
I'm a novice to betta-rearing. I've been trying unsuccessfully to spawn my
bettas. Still no luck after 6 to 7 pairings. The main problems I encounter
are:

1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep them,
allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.

I use a 10 gallon covered glass tank, a clear tank bottom, clay pots and
dishes as hiding places, some real water plants, a styrofoam half-cup for
bubble-nesting, 4-inches of anti-chlorinated water treated with a little
blackwater, a sponge-filter with 1-bubble-per-sec. Water temperature ambient
because I live in the tropics.

Any advice to help me beyond the egg stage will be greatly appreciated. I
would also like to hear from others who have successfully bred bettas what
strategies they use.

Many thanks.

[blove]

have you read the breeding section on www.bettatalk.com ? and
www.bettasrus.com ive read thru them all and no where does it mention
using blackwater so maybe thats damaging the eggs and the male knows it and
doesnt bother with the eggs. also you don tmention your ph, on the sites
they say to have ph-down if it is too high so the ph should be at 7.0.

"Gabriel Tan" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> I'm a novice to betta-rearing. I've been trying unsuccessfully to spawn my
> bettas. Still no luck after 6 to 7 pairings. The main problems I encounter
> are:
>
> 1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
> 2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep them,
> allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
> 3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.
>
> I use a 10 gallon covered glass tank, a clear tank bottom, clay pots and
> dishes as hiding places, some real water plants, a styrofoam half-cup for
> bubble-nesting, 4-inches of anti-chlorinated water treated with a little
> blackwater, a sponge-filter with 1-bubble-per-sec. Water temperature
ambient
> because I live in the tropics.
>
> Any advice to help me beyond the egg stage will be greatly appreciated. I
> would also like to hear from others who have successfully bred bettas what
> strategies they use.
>
> Many thanks.
>
>
>
>

[TYNK 7]

(Snipped)

>Subject: Re: Betta Spawning Technique Help
>From: "blove"
>Date: 1/23/2004 10:44 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>

>section on www.bettatalk.com ? and
>www.bettasrus.com ive read thru them all and no where does it mention
>using blackwater so maybe thats damaging the eggs and the male knows it and
>doesnt bother with the eggs

No, no, no...Blackwater Extract will NOT harm the eggs or deter the male in any
way. In fact would only do good.
Are you familiar with this product?
I use it all the time for spawning Bettas and Angelfish.

> also you don tmention your ph, on the sites
>they say to have ph-down if it is too high so the ph should be at 7.0.

Don't fuss too much with pH. Bettas are wonderful about adapting to different
pH and water hardness.
(not all at the same time of course, I mean in general)

[blove]

i was just gettin my info from the betta sites and no where on them does it
mention the use of blackwater and on both sites it says a nuetral ph is
good.


"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> (Snipped)
>
> >Subject: Re: Betta Spawning Technique Help
> >From: "blove"
> >Date: 1/23/2004 10:44 AM Central Standard Time
> >Message-id: >
> >
>
> >section on www.bettatalk.com ? and
> >www.bettasrus.com ive read thru them all and no where does it mention
> >using blackwater so maybe thats damaging the eggs and the male knows it
and
> >doesnt bother with the eggs
>
> No, no, no...Blackwater Extract will NOT harm the eggs or deter the male
in any
> way. In fact would only do good.
> Are you familiar with this product?
> I use it all the time for spawning Bettas and Angelfish.
>
> > also you don tmention your ph, on the sites
> >they say to have ph-down if it is too high so the ph should be at 7.0.
>
> Don't fuss too much with pH. Bettas are wonderful about adapting to
different
> pH and water hardness.
> (not all at the same time of course, I mean in general)
>

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Betta Spawning Technique Help
>From: "blove"
>Date: 1/25/2004 1:27 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>i was just gettin my info from the betta sites and no where on them does it
>mention the use of blackwater and on both sites it says a nuetral ph is
>good.
>

Not every breeder does the same thing.
I have hard water and it helps greatly.
There's nothing wrong with using it, but of course you don't *have* to use it.

[THE SMUT TRAIN PIC POST]

"Gabriel Tan" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> I'm a novice to betta-rearing. I've been trying unsuccessfully to spawn my
> bettas. Still no luck after 6 to 7 pairings. The main problems I encounter
> are:
>
> 1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
> 2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep them,
> allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
> 3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.
>
> I use a 10 gallon covered glass tank, a clear tank bottom, clay pots and
> dishes as hiding places, some real water plants, a styrofoam half-cup for
> bubble-nesting, 4-inches of anti-chlorinated water treated with a little
> blackwater, a sponge-filter with 1-bubble-per-sec. Water temperature
ambient
> because I live in the tropics.
>
> Any advice to help me beyond the egg stage will be greatly appreciated. I
> would also like to hear from others who have successfully bred bettas what
> strategies they use.
>
> Many thanks.
>
>
>
>
Personally, I spawn in 10's and fill them up to 2 to 3 inches from the top.
I use a split clay plant pot and maybe a weighted plastic plant, bare
bottom. I dont count the bubbles from my filters weather I use homemade
sponge or stick on the side filters.
All I worry about is that the filter will do its job and not disturb the
nest or suck up fry.
I use strofome squares the length of the side of the tank and about 3 inches
wide 1 inch tall hollowed out, but 1/2 a styro cup will do.
After spawning the fem is removed, 72 hrs later fry hatch, 72 hrs later fry
are freeswiming and the male is removed.
Fry are fed the first 2 wks with microworms then with BBS till they can eat
the small crumb type betta foods.
from there its uphill.
I dont touch the water for the first mo. then its changed using airline
tubing and only about 25%. The only thing besides declorinater added to my
water is methalyne blue at 5 to 8 drops per 30 gal's. of premixed water.
I dont use heaters as room temps rarely go below 70 deg. When breeding room
temps are at least 80 deg.

Females are kept in a mason jar next to a male untill shes ready and then I
just put em in together in the tank.
I've had well over 25 yrs of spawns doing it this way and dont have any
problems...

> 1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
This happens sometimes specially on a fist time spawner.
> 2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep them,
allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
I rarely have males even build a nest b 4 the spawn and after hatching they
allways stop building.
> 3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.
Yup, sometimes this happens too and sometimes its the female that does this
or she just eats em. I've had males that given a few trys get the hang of it
but some never do.

Good luck.
Doc
www.docsbettas.com

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Betta Spawning Technique Help
>From: "THE SMUT TRAIN PIC POST"
>Date: 2/7/2004 2:40 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>"Gabriel Tan" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi,
>> I'm a novice to betta-rearing. I've been trying unsuccessfully to spawn my
>> bettas. Still no luck after 6 to 7 pairings. The main problems I encounter
>> are:
>>
>> 1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
>> 2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep them,
>> allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
>> 3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.
>>
>> I use a 10 gallon covered glass tank, a clear tank bottom, clay pots and
>> dishes as hiding places, some real water plants, a styrofoam half-cup for
>> bubble-nesting, 4-inches of anti-chlorinated water treated with a little
>> blackwater, a sponge-filter with 1-bubble-per-sec. Water temperature
>ambient
>> because I live in the tropics.
>>
>> Any advice to help me beyond the egg stage will be greatly appreciated. I
>> would also like to hear from others who have successfully bred bettas what
>> strategies they use.
>>
>> Many thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>Personally, I spawn in 10's and fill them up to 2 to 3 inches from the top.
>I use a split clay plant pot and maybe a weighted plastic plant, bare
>bottom. I dont count the bubbles from my filters weather I use homemade
>sponge or stick on the side filters.
>All I worry about is that the filter will do its job and not disturb the
>nest or suck up fry.
>I use strofome squares the length of the side of the tank and about 3 inches
>wide 1 inch tall hollowed out, but 1/2 a styro cup will do.
>After spawning the fem is removed, 72 hrs later fry hatch, 72 hrs later fry
>are freeswiming and the male is removed.
>Fry are fed the first 2 wks with microworms then with BBS till they can eat
>the small crumb type betta foods.
>from there its uphill.
>I dont touch the water for the first mo. then its changed using airline
>tubing and only about 25%. The only thing besides declorinater added to my
>water is methalyne blue at 5 to 8 drops per 30 gal's. of premixed water.
>I dont use heaters as room temps rarely go below 70 deg. When breeding room
>temps are at least 80 deg.
>
>Females are kept in a mason jar next to a male untill shes ready and then I
>just put em in together in the tank.
>I've had well over 25 yrs of spawns doing it this way and dont have any
>problems...
>
>> 1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
>This happens sometimes specially on a fist time spawner.
>> 2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep them,
>allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
>I rarely have males even build a nest b 4 the spawn and after hatching they
>allways stop building.
>> 3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.
>Yup, sometimes this happens too and sometimes its the female that does this
>or she just eats em. I've had males that given a few trys get the hang of it
>but some never do.
>
>Good luck.
>Doc
>www.docsbettas.com
>

Hey Doc.
Great post.
I would only add a tid bit about the need for humid surface air, and how to
achieve this, while the fry's labyrinth organ is developing. This is a major
point first time breeders forget, or make a mistake with, ending up with dead
fry. = (

[Doc]

"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: Re: Betta Spawning Technique Help
> >From: "THE SMUT TRAIN PIC POST"
> >Date: 2/7/2004 2:40 AM Central Standard Time
> >Message-id: >
> >
> >
> >"Gabriel Tan" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi,
> >> I'm a novice to betta-rearing. I've been trying unsuccessfully to spawn
my
> >> bettas. Still no luck after 6 to 7 pairings. The main problems I
encounter
> >> are:
> >>
> >> 1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
> >> 2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep
them,
> >> allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
> >> 3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.
> >>
> >> I use a 10 gallon covered glass tank, a clear tank bottom, clay pots
and
> >> dishes as hiding places, some real water plants, a styrofoam half-cup
for
> >> bubble-nesting, 4-inches of anti-chlorinated water treated with a
little
> >> blackwater, a sponge-filter with 1-bubble-per-sec. Water temperature
> >ambient
> >> because I live in the tropics.
> >>
> >> Any advice to help me beyond the egg stage will be greatly appreciated.
I
> >> would also like to hear from others who have successfully bred bettas
what
> >> strategies they use.
> >>
> >> Many thanks.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >Personally, I spawn in 10's and fill them up to 2 to 3 inches from the
top.
> >I use a split clay plant pot and maybe a weighted plastic plant, bare
> >bottom. I dont count the bubbles from my filters weather I use homemade
> >sponge or stick on the side filters.
> >All I worry about is that the filter will do its job and not disturb the
> >nest or suck up fry.
> >I use strofome squares the length of the side of the tank and about 3
inches
> >wide 1 inch tall hollowed out, but 1/2 a styro cup will do.
> >After spawning the fem is removed, 72 hrs later fry hatch, 72 hrs later
fry
> >are freeswiming and the male is removed.
> >Fry are fed the first 2 wks with microworms then with BBS till they can
eat
> >the small crumb type betta foods.
> >from there its uphill.
> >I dont touch the water for the first mo. then its changed using airline
> >tubing and only about 25%. The only thing besides declorinater added to
my
> >water is methalyne blue at 5 to 8 drops per 30 gal's. of premixed water.
> >I dont use heaters as room temps rarely go below 70 deg. When breeding
room
> >temps are at least 80 deg.
> >
> >Females are kept in a mason jar next to a male untill shes ready and then
I
> >just put em in together in the tank.
> >I've had well over 25 yrs of spawns doing it this way and dont have any
> >problems...
> >
> >> 1. The male eats up all the eggs after spawning.
> >This happens sometimes specially on a fist time spawner.
> >> 2. The male puts the eggs in the bubble nest, then refuses to upkeep
them,
> >allows the bubble nest to disintegrate.
> >I rarely have males even build a nest b 4 the spawn and after hatching
they
> >allways stop building.
> >> 3. The male refuses to pick up the eggs at the bottom of the tank.
> >Yup, sometimes this happens too and sometimes its the female that does
this
> >or she just eats em. I've had males that given a few trys get the hang of
it
> >but some never do.
> >
> >Good luck.
> >Doc
> >www.docsbettas.com
> >
>
> Hey Doc.
> Great post.
> I would only add a tid bit about the need for humid surface air, and how
to
> achieve this, while the fry's labyrinth organ is developing. This is a
major
> point first time breeders forget, or make a mistake with, ending up with
dead
> fry. = (
>
Well yer right but as I live down here in fla. and its allways humid... I
dont worry bout it much...
I do keep a top on my tanks...my tops are made of clear plexi glass from any
hardware store. Sometimes they bow but just turn em over every now n then.
With about 40 tanks and hundreds of mason jars in my fish room its allways
humid in there.
The biggest problem as the labyrinth is developing is to keep cold air from
the surface. This is what does the damage..
Some folks try the ol cling wrap method...I did once...it works for a bit
but the first time a corner falls in the tank, you get a mess. The plexi
glass works best.

And I'm going to say this...be sure you have enuff mason jars for your
males. They will need to be separated if you want to keep clean finage on
them. I do have several that have been together for about 8 mos. but they
are from the same spawn and have never been separated. I get fights every so
often and sometimes it ends up with pretty torn up fins,but all in all they
get together.

Good luck.
Doc

[TYNK 7]

(Snipped)
>Subject: Re: Betta Spawning Technique Help
>From: "Doc"
>Date: 2/7/2004 9:58 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>

>Well yer right but as I live down here in fla. and its allways humid... I
>dont worry bout it much.

>I do keep a top on my tanks...my tops are made of clear plexi glass from any
>hardware store.

>The biggest problem as the labyrinth is developing is to keep cold air from
>the surface. This is what does the damage..
>Some folks try the ol cling wrap method...I did once...it works for a bit
>but the first time a corner falls in the tank, you get a mess.

I like to use plastic wrap over the tank's top, and then putting a glass lid
down.
If anyone decided to use plastic wrap without some type of other lid (plexi
glass is agreat too!), it's just not going to hold.
It would have to have something like large rubberband, or elastic band that you
use to hold plastic garbage bags in place while in a garbage can.

>And I'm going to say this...be sure you have enuff mason jars for your
>males

So true, and when I'm giving full details I always stress the need for having
all supplies before spawning takes place, and that includes crazy amounts of
containers, and the larger the better (as space allows).